Written Answers

Monday 24th April 1995

UK Defence Spending

Lord Jenkins of Putney asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will reduce the United Kingdom's military spending to the average of other West European countries.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Henley): UK defence spending reflects our national commitments and interests. There is no good reason to align it deliberately with spending levels in other countries.

Environment Agency

Lord Brougham and Vaux asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they intend to issue a draft of the guidance to be provided to the Environment Agency on its objectives, including the contribution it is to make towards the achievement of sustainable development.

The Earl of Lindsay: Together with my right honourable friends the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Wales, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment issued this draft guidance to inform debate on the Environment Bill on 21 April. It expands on the draft outline scoping guidance issued by my noble friend Lord Ullswater on 17 January 1995.

Mrs. M. Curtin: Circumstances of Death

Lord Harris of Greenwich asked Her Majesty's Government:

What form of inquiry they propose to institute into the circumstances of the death of Mrs. M. Curtin, a patient in Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow and whether a copy of the report of any such inquiry will be placed in the Library of the House.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege): An investigation was undertaken by the Northwick Park and St. Mark's National Health Service Trust in response to a complaint relating to the circumstances of Mrs. Curtin's tragic death. A copy of the report was sent to Mr. Curtin on 11 April but has not been published. In view of the media comment on the case, however, the NHS trust issued a press statement, copies of which are available in the Library.

The trust has accepted that Mrs. Curtin suffered discomfort as a result of delay and has apologised to Mr. Curtin for this and other shortcomings. There is no evidence that the delay contributed to Mrs. Curtin's death. The trust has acted without delay to improve the way patients are treated in the accident and emergency

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department and is reviewing its nursing requirements. Changes announced to neighbouring hospitals mean that staffing and management plans remain under constant review.

Government Departments: Stolen Equipment

Lord Braine of Wheatley asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish in the Official Report a list of the equipment stolen from each government department during the last two years for which information is available; and what was the approximate value of such equipment.

The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Earl Howe): Information about the type and approximate value of equipment stolen in the years concerned is as follows:

The Department does not separately maintain centralised records of individual items which have been stolen. Losses due to theft, fraud, arson or sabotage are recorded in a single category. The number of individual losses recorded within this category, and the total value for each of the last two years for which information is available are as follows: